How to draw sheer?

[Jon_Lyle]

I found a photo that I would like to reference for a drawing. In the photo, the subject is wearing a loose fitting, slightly "see-through," shirt.

I intended to used pencils only (greyscale), but in the photo, the form/details under the shirt are mostly discerned by the contrasting color, not really "lines" so to speak. We have a white shirt, gray where you see through shirt, but is too far from skin to discern flesh/form, and subtle flesh tones where the shirt is pulled to the skin.

The shirt is only slightly transparent, enough to know what you're seeing through it, but not enough to see the entire form - parts not directly contacting the fabric. How can I capture this effect with pencils? I have been unsuccessful in finding another drawing that fits what I'm looking for. Any links, quick sketches, or well worded techniques would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Blade21292]

Did you try gray scaling the image in your image editor to see what it would look like? I know it sounds obvious...

[Jon_Lyle]

Firstly, the image becomes flat, and secondly, the sheerness basically disappears. The image becomes completely different, and loses everything that drew me to it.

To be fair, when I first saved this picture, I had no thought of drawing it, but I have a compelling need to do so now. I really don't have any experience with coloring pictures, other than filling anime with sharpies, and even my penciling is severely lacking for what I would truly like to achieve (shading for a realistic effect).

I've only ever really produced decent line-art, and I suppose that that's the real question now, "How do I depict the semi-transparency of the fabric in line art?"

I really lack the attention to do it right, to learn to color with pencils or some other medium, or do a true greyscale. I am always cycling creative projects, but rarely complete them (at least to my liking.) Its as though once I have the details of the project worked out in my head, I lose interest.

Anyway, I can usually manage to get a line-art version done, so any info on how I might accomplish this would be appreciated. I might be able to track down a link to the source pic if that helps.